This is a list of the governors of colonies, protectorates, or other dependencies in 1880. Where applicable, native rulers are also listed.

Portugal

• Angola –
  1. Vasco Guedes de Carvalho e Meneses, Governor-General of Angola (1878–1880)
  2. António Eleutério Dantas, Governor-General of Angola (1880–1882)

United Kingdom

• Jamaica – Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Jamaica (1877–1883)
• Malta Colony – Arthur Borton, Governor of Malta (1878–1884)
• New South Wales – Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales (1879–1885)
• Queensland – Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Queensland (1877–1883)
• Tasmania – Major Frederick Weld, Governor of Tasmania (1875–1880)
• South Australia – Lieutenant-General William Jervois, Governor of South Australia (1877–1883)
• Victoria – George Phipps, Lord Normanby, Governor of Victoria (1879–1884)
• Western Australia
  1. Major-General Harry Ord, Governor of Western Australia (1877–1880)
  2. Sir William Robinson, Governor of Western Australia (1880–1883)